25 Crazy Things That The World Forgot About The Vikings

Posted by , Updated on March 22, 2024

Even though it’s common knowledge that Vikings didn’t really don horned helmets, there’s a plethora of information about these Scandinavian invaders that might still surprise you. Here are 25 astonishing facts that the world has seemed to forget about the Vikings.

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25

You may know this by now, but the Vikings didn't actually wear horned helmets

You may know this by now, but the Vikings didn't actually wear horned helmetsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
24

In spite of their raiding, Vikings were a clean people. Archeological sites have revealed tweezers, razors, and combs

In spite of their raiding, Vikings were a clean people. Archeological sites have revealed tweezers, razors, and combsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
23

They also bathed once a week, which is much more than any of their European counterparts at the time

They also bathed once a week, which is much more than any of their European counterparts at the timeSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
22

Vikings collected a fungus known as touchwood from tree bark and boiled it in urine for several days. They then smoothed it out into felt and used it to create fire.

Vikings collected a fungus known as touchwood from tree bark and boiled it in urine for several days. They then smoothed it out into felt and used it to create fire.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
21

The reason for this is that the sodium nitrate in the urine would cause the felt to smolder rather than burn

The reason for this is that the sodium nitrate in the urine would cause the felt to smolder rather than burnSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
20

This ingenious method allowed them to take fire with them on their journeys

This ingenious method allowed them to take fire with them on their journeysSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
19

The greatest honor for a Viking was to be buried on board a boat

The greatest honor for a Viking was to be buried on board a boatSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
18

They believed that the boat would take them to the afterlife and so they were usually buried like the pharaohs - surrounded with weapons and valuable goods

They believed that the boat would take them to the afterlife and so they were usually buried like the pharaohs - surrounded with weapons and valuable goodsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
17

Sometimes prominent Vikings would be buried with sacrificed slaves

Sometimes prominent Vikings would be buried with sacrificed slavesSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
16

Enslaving people was a big thing for them. They would quite often capture as many slaves as they could while they were pillaging Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, and Slavic villages

Enslaving people was a big thing for them. They would quite often capture as many slaves as they could while they were pillaging Anlo-Saxon, Celtic, and Slavic villagesSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
15

The slaves were known as thralls and were sold in markets across Europe and Asia

The slaves were known as thralls and were soled in markets across Europe and AsiaSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
14

Viking girls got married as young as 12

Viking girls got married as young as 12Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
13

They typically would watch the household as their husbands were off raiding

They typically would watch the household as their husbands were off raidingSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
12

They had a lot of freedom for that time period though. As long as they weren't thralls, they could own property, divorce, and reclaim dowry

They had a lot of freedom for that time period though. As long as they weren't thralls, they could own property, divorce, and reclaim dowrySource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
11

In spite of their raiding reputation, most Viking men were farmers and not warriors

In spite of their raiding reputation, most Viking men were farmers and not warriorsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
10

They skied. That's right, nearly 6,000 years ago the Scandinavians developed primitive skis.

They skied. That's right, nearly 6,000 years ago the Scandinavians developed primitive skis. (note: scientists believe that ancient Russians may have developed them earlier)Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
9

Skiing was actually seen as an efficient method of transportation

Skiing was actually seen as an efficient method of transportationSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
8

Vikings preferred to be blond. Men with darker hair would use strong soap with a high level of lye to bleach their hair

Vikings preferred to be blond. Men with darker hair would use strong soap with a high level of lye to bleach their hairSource: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
7

Some Vikings would bleach their beards as well

Some Vikings would bleach their beards as wellSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
6

Vikings were never part of a unified group, as in they didn't see themselves as being one nation of Vikings

Vikings were never part of a unified group, as in they didn't see themselves as VikingsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
5

The term Viking only refers to Scandinavians who took part in overseas expeditions

The term Viking only refers to Scandinavians who took part in overseas expeditionsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
4

During the Viking Age, present day Denmark, Sweden, and Norway simply consisted of a number of tribes who were constantly at war with one another when they weren't off raiding

During the Viking Age, present day Denmark, Sweden, and Norway simply consisted of a number of tribes who were constantly at war with one another when they weren't off raidingSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
3

The average Viking lived to be around 40 years old

The average Viking lived to be around 40 years oldSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
2

Long before they reached that age, their teeth would have been worn down by the grit in their bread

Long before they reached that age, their teeth would have been worn down by the grit in their breadSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
1

A Viking's most treasured possession was his sword. It was often handed down from generation to generation.

A Viking's most treasured possession was his sword. It was often handed down from generation to generation.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia